Licensure activity:

On July 27, 2017, the Board of Allied Health voted on continuing competency regulations, 259 CMR 7.00, and they passed unanimously.  (These were originally drafted in August 2016.  Massachusetts is one of four states that do not require continuing competency!)  24 units per 2-year cycle will be required.  2 units must be ethics or laws and regulations governing practice in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

 On August 24, 2017, the Board of Allied Health reviewed the regulations that were passed in May 2014.  These regulations were stalled and then put on hold by Governor Baker’s Executive Order 562 when he took office.  With some edits/revisions, the regulations were again passed unanimously.

 Both sets of regulations will proceed through the regulatory process.  They will then be submitted for public comment and then become effective.

 A representative from MAOT attends most of the monthly Board of Allied Health meetings and reports back to MAOT membership.

 Legislative Activity

The legislative cycle began January 17, 2017.  Interest has been indicated with respect to telehealth and mental health parity legislation.

 July 18, 2017 Testimony in support of Senate Bill 549 and House Bill 578:  An Act Advancing and Expanding Access to Telemedicine Services

Advocacy/Health Care Reform/Access to Health Care:

Participated and reviewed documents for Health Care for All/Mental Health Parity-MAOT signed on to documents to various government agencies advocating mental health parity.

 MAOT Board members participated in Mass Health Provider Association Forum meetings

 We will continue to monitor any opportunities that present themselves for occupational therapy in the health, mental health and education areas.

 For more information on legislative matters, go to http://www.malegislature.gov

 For more information, contact the new MAOT Government Relations Representative, Sarah McKinnon, OT, OTD, MPA, OTR, BCPR at info@maot.org